Regional Chamber Board Opposes HB 193

Jan 09, 2018

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to oppose Ohio House Bill 193, which would prohibit an employer from taking an adverse employment action against a person who has not been or will not be vaccinated against influenza.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to oppose Ohio House Bill 193, which would prohibit an employer from taking an adverse employment action against a person who has not been or will not be vaccinated against influenza.

Because the prohibition would apply to healthcare and other workers who interact with people whose immune systems are already compromised, the Chamber Board recommends that the Ohio General Assembly reject the proposed law. The bill is currently in the House Health Committee.

Regional Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Guy Coviello said, “We recognize the balance between individual rights and employer rights. Much like there are professions where it is imperative that employers have the right to require certain provisions—such as maintaining a drug-free workplace when operating transportation or dangerous machinery—employers such as those in the healthcare industry need to be able to require their workers to be properly immunized against influenza.”

The Chamber joins business organizations and employers around the state that also oppose HB 193.

If passed, the bill would prohibit “an employer from discharging without just cause, refusing to hire or otherwise discriminating against any person with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment, or any matter directly or indirectly related to employment, on the basis that the person has not been or will not be vaccinated against influenza for any reason, including medical, religious or philosophical.” The bill does not specify a penalty for a violation of the prohibition.